Thousands commemorate Bishop Hannington Day

By Solomon Oleny

On October 29, 1885, Bishop James Hannington the then reigning Bishop of the Anglican Church in East Africa, alongside 48 of his 50 pages were speared and stoned to death at present day Kyando village in Mayuge district.

Bishop Hannington had been held hostage for some time while making his way from Zanzibar to Uganda, where he was to takeover office from Alexander Mackay, then acting Bishop of Uganda, better known as Buganda at the time.

According to Busoga Diocese Bishop, Rt. Rev. Michael Kyomya, the cold blooded massacres were executed on the orders of the chief of Busoga, Luba.

 The chief was suspicious that Hannington was a fierce enemy of his close ally King Mwanga of Buganda Kingdom.

Filled with empathy and a strong spiritual drive, over 5,000 pilgrims and religious tourists from all corners of Uganda especially Busoga yesterday October 29, flocked his site of martyrdom at Kyando to celebrate his life.

While gracing the event as chief guest, the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga asked the Basoga to put to rest the petty but exaggerated differences which have turned the once peaceful Kingdom into a battle field.

truePilgrims exploring the caves that served as Bishop Hannington library during his time of captivity. PHOTO/ Solomon Oleny

She gave the example of the recent fight for the leadership of  the Busoga Kingdom.

“Without unity, we shall not develop and without development, we shall not fruitfully address chronic problems that have for a long time failed our beloved Kingdom from rising in all its glory.”Kadaga said.

The event which was jointly organized by the Busoga Diocese, Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) and Busoga Tourism Initiative was also used to inaugurate the site as a tourism attraction.

According to John Ssempebwa the UTB deputy chief executive officer,  the site is one of the most outstanding in the country as it boasts of antiquities and facilities that were used by the fallen Bishop.

The site has two open-end caves which the Bishop used as a bedroom and library respectively.

“If these resources are tapped by influencing a jaw dropping influx of tourists to the region, it will effectively aide in the creation of limitless business opportunities and jobs as tourism is the world’s biggest employer,” Ssempebwa explained.